Substation Engineer 1 (Entry Level) - Grid

Sargent Lundy; Santa Ana (CA); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Life & Accident Insurance

Disability Coverage

401(k)

Paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy is seeking a Substation Engineer in Santa Ana, CA, offering a hybrid work arrangement and relocation support. The role involves collaborating on design of new high voltage substations and transmission systems, plus preparation of equipment procurement specifications.

You will travel for design reviews and construction coordination, apply engineering principles, and leverage AI/automation tools to improve workflows. A BS in engineering and FE/ABET credentials are preferred.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Aerospace/Chemical Eng with coding and 3D modelling exposure.
• Understanding of electrical engineering applications and project design.
• Knowledge of producing technical plans, blueprints, and 3D visualization.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Work on teams designing high voltage and extra-high voltage substations and transmission systems.
• Prepare specifications for procurement of major electrical equipment and related services.
• Travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and site coordination.
• Contribute to AI/automation enabled workflows and design processes.

Skills

Electrical Eng

3D Modeling

Coding

Agentic AI

MS Office

Communication

Education

BS in Electrical/Mechanical/Aerospace/Chemical Eng

ABET-accredited program

FE exam

Engineer in Training

BSEE/MSEE (adv)

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Excel

Job description

Description

As a Substation Engineer, this positionwill offer you the opportunity toutilizeand expand your academic background in engineering.

• You will work on project teams with other engineers involved in the design of new high voltage and extra-high voltage substations and transmission systems.

• You will be involved in power transmission designs and the preparation of specifications for the procurement of major electrical power equipment and related installation services.

• There is the potential for you to travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, with the expectation of spending three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days.

Dependent upon your location, this opportunity offers a generous relocation package.

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Essential skills and experience:

• This position requires a Bachelor of Science degree with strong preference in an Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace or Chemical Engineering degree, and/or coursework including Coding, 3D Modeling/Design, and experience using agentic AI.

• An understanding of the practical application of electrical engineering and technology including applying systems, principles, techniques, and procedures to a project design.

• Knowledge of design techniques, tools andprinciplesinvolved in production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and modelswith the ability to visualize parts in 3D without the aid of a computer.

• Proficiencywith MS Office applications.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Valued but notrequiredskills and experience:

• BSEE, MSEE, or equivalent degree from an ABETaccreditedengineering program.

• Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and designation as an Engineer in Training.

• Familiarity in designing or developing AI applications and/or agents.

• Related engineering internship or co-op work experience.

• Familiarity in designing or developing AI applications and/or agents.

AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy

In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to solve problems using modern tools:

• You are expected to take engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
• Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design documentation, including appropriate use of agentic AI tools, with strong engineering judgment and verification of results.
• Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation is valued but not required.
• We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other training in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that helps you apply automation or agentic AI to real engineering problems.

Award-Winning Benefits

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back-Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA

• 401(k)
• Pre-Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition Assistance
• First Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus

• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$62,998 - $90,586

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.